Giving Rye: Meet American Legion, Post 128
Giving Rye is a new occasional feature highlighting non-profits and community groups in and around the City of Rye. Today meet Fred de Barros of American Legion, Post 128.
Your Name: Fred de Barros
Organization: American Legion, Post 128, Rye, NY
Your role: Commander
MyRye.com: Tell us your organization’s mission.
de Barros: The American Legion is the largest wartime veteran’s organization that is devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is devoted to mentoring mouth and sponsoring wholesome programs in our community, advocating patriotism and honor, continued devotion to our fellow servicemen and veterans, and promoting strong national defense.
How long have you operated in Rye?
de Barros: The American Legion Post 128 has been in Rye for 104 years since 1919. There are over 14,000 American Legion Posts in the United States with close to 2,000,00 members. All American Legion Posts have the same mission but apply it in their own unique way.
What programming or work in Rye is the organization best known for?
de Barros:
- Mentoring youth: Support of the Rye Recreation Boys Basketball team which plays each fall. Sponsoring scholarships for youth who would like to attend the Rye Rec. Summer Camp. Offering a scholarship to Rye High School seniors who are applying to a vocational school for a skilled trade.
- Advocating patriotism and honor: Organizing ceremonies for Veterans Day, Memorial Day, and flag disposition. Flag placement on veteran’s graves for Memorial Day. Attendance at Mistletoe Magic in November to distribute American Flags with literature explaining flag etiquette.
- Continued devotion to our fellow servicemen and veterans: Support of the Montrose Veterans Hospital through financial and clothing donations. Offer guidance to veterans who would like to access veterans’ benefits.
Looking forward to 2024, what will be your top initiatives?
de Barros:
- Increase our membership: Our membership has decreased dramatically in recent years through attrition. We are attempting to attract younger members who may have recently been discharged from the Military. We also offer membership in the Sons of the American Legion for sons or grandsons of veterans.
- Veterans in need: Find ways to offer more assistance to veterans in need.
- Youth programs: To make a greater effort to connect with Rye Youth programs.
Tell us about the population you serve and how they can get involved with your programming and services.
de Barros: We directly serve veterans and through them, the wider community with support of the Rye Boy scout Troop 2 and youth programs at Rye Recreation.
Are you a 501(c)(3) non-profit with tax exempt status?
de Barros: yes
Looking back across 2023, what were your organization’s top achievements?
de Barros:
- Support for the Veterans: at the Montrose VA Hospital through financial and clothing donations.
- New Veterans memorial plaque. Substantial progress was made with the cooperation of the City of Rye to create a memorial plaque to honor those veterans who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
- Ceremonies: The presentation of the Veteran Day ceremony in November and the Memorial Day ceremony in May.
How can local residents support your organization?
de Barros: We appreciate financial donations which help us to continue supporting youth programs and scholarships in Rye. We also accept clothing donations which we give to Montrose Veterans Hospital. Contact information is located on our website.
What local Rye residents and area businesses have been the longest, steadiest supporters of your organization?
de Barros: Terry McCartney, a local resident, Marine veteran and attorney, has organized a golf tournament for years – played at the Rye Golf Club on Memorial Day each year. The proceeds from the tournament are donated to American Legion Post 128 in Rye. The amount of donations has been substantial.
Tell us about you:
How long have you been in your current role?
de Barros: I have been the Commander of American Legion Post 128 for five years.
Is the role full time or part time? Paid or volunteer?
de Barros: My position with the American Legion is part time and unpaid.
I work part time at the Rye YMCA in the membership department.
How would your friends and family describe you in one word?
de Barros: Caring.
Pick one:
de Barros:
| MyRye.com
Select from: |
Your Pick: |
| Coke or Pepsi? | Coke |
| Regular or diet? | Diet |
| Action movie or rom com? | Action |
| Cook, order in or eat out? | Cook |
| Dog, cat or no pet? | Cat |
| Balsamic vinaigrette or ranch? | Balsamic vinaigrette |
| Ruffles Original, Lay’s Barbeque or Funyuns? | Ruffles original |
| Still, sparkling or tap? | Still |
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why, and who would you take with you?
de Barros: I would fly to Portugal. It is a beautiful country with friendly people. It is the birthplace of my father. I would take my wife with me to tour the country and meet my relatives.
What is your favorite streaming / TV series?
de Barros: Britbox
What is your favorite movie?
de Barros: A Christmas Carol starring Alastair Sim
Where do you live in Rye and how many years have you lived in the City?
de Barros: I moved to Rye with my parents and two brothers in 1944. We lived on Park Drive South. I now live on Theodore Fremd Avenue.
Thanks, Fred!
Specific donation link (donations may be mailed to American Legion Post 128, Box 128, Rye, NY 10580 or contact Commander Fred de Barros at cell # 914-837-5735)
